In 1860, Edwin Jones and his sister, along with a 12-year-old apprentice, opened a small single-fronted shop. They later expanded to larger premises on the same street and subsequently expanded the store by purchasing the neighboring Blue Boar pub.[3]
In 1880 he bought buildings facing the park in East Street, after failing to purchase the Wesleyan Chapel, which he demolished and built into what was called the Queen's Building. Prior to this expansion, Edwin Jones had become the mayor of Southampton in 1873 and 1875, retiring as a councilor in 1890. At this point he was appointed the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, a post he held until his death six years later.[4]
The business further expanded after Edward Jones' death with the new Manchester House building,[5] however in 1928 the business was purchased by Drapery Trust, a subsidiary of Debenhams but continued to operate under its original name.[6]
During World War II the store was destroyed during The Blitz, and the new store was not completed until 1959[7] from a design by architects Healing & Overbury.[8] The store continued to operate under the Edwin Jones name until 1973 when Debenhams renamed the store in their name as part of their rationalization program.[9]
In 2020, all Debenhams stores were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the chain went into administration, although continued to trade online. During this period it was announced that the Southampton store would remain closed permanently.[10]
In September 2022, planning permission was given for the building to be demolished and replaced with 600 Apartments.[11] Demolition took place in August 2025.[12]
